Press Releases
Van Hollen, Blumenthal, Brown, Coons Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers Using Generic Medications
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) announced the introduction of the Updated Drug Labeling for Patient Safety Act, legislation to allow all prescription drug manufacturers to revise medication labels to provide accurate, up-to-date warnings to consumers. Current federal law mandates that generic drug labels must match those approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their brand-name … Continue Reading
September 19, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Whitehouse, Doggett in Reintroducing Bicameral Bill Act to Tackle Plastic Pollution Crisis and Hold Polluters Accountable
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) in reintroducing legislation that would create a new incentive to recycle plastic and help reduce the plastic waste that is disrupting coastal economies, overwhelming ecosystems, and threatening public health. The Rewarding Efforts to Decrease Unrecycled Contaminants in Ecosystems (REDUCE) Act would impose a 20-cent per pound fee on the sale of virgin plastic resin that is … Continue Reading
September 18, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $900,000 to Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccines to Marylanders
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $934,965 in U.S. Department of Health funding for Maryland health centers to provide no-cost COVID-19 vaccines. “The pandemic exposed many gaps and shortfalls in vaccine accessibility, especially for the millions of Americans who are under- or uninsured,” said the lawmakers. “As COVID-19 cases … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Join Democratic Lawmakers in Urging President Biden to Take Executive Action to Address Gun Violence Epidemic, Limit Sale of Assault Weapons
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined 77 of their Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House in writing a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to take further executive action to combat gun violence and limit the sale of assault weapons. These executive actions to prevent gun violence are endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords, and Brady: United Against Gun Violence. “We commend the important steps your Administration has recently taken on this … Continue Reading
September 14, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Release Statement on Temporary Lease Extension for Fort Howard Post Office
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) one-month lease extension for the Fort Howard Post Office. Initially expected to close on Friday, September 15, the Fort Howard branch is now expected to continue operating in its current location until October 14, while USPS continues working towards a long-term solution. This development comes after the lawmakers sent a letter … Continue Reading
September 10, 2023
Van Hollen, Merkley Joint Statement on Upgrading U.S. Relationship with Vietnam
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) issued the following joint statement after the announcement of the establishment of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” between the United States and Vietnam, during a visit by President Biden to Vietnam: “The foundation to a strong working relationship between our two nations is addressing the painful wartime legacy and promoting reconciliation. “This is an opportunity to deepen our understanding and commitment to the … Continue Reading
September 08, 2023
Van Hollen, Schatz Lead More Than a Dozen Colleagues in Letter to Administration on Israel’s Non-Compliance with Key Visa Waiver Program Requirements
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led a letter with 13 of their colleagues that underscores their hope that Israel will, at some point, qualify for the Visa Waiver Program but concludes that, based on all the information provided to date, Israel is not currently in compliance with the “Blue is Blue” reciprocity requirements for the Program and is not on track to meet them before the September 30th deadline. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State … Continue Reading
September 07, 2023
Van Hollen, Warren, Whitehouse Urge Treasury to Protect Consumers Against Insurance-Related Climate Risks
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), both members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Director Steven Seitz, urging the department to take immediate action to and protect consumers from climate-related risks by collecting comprehensive and transparent data about the impacts of climate change on the insurance industry. The … Continue Reading
September 07, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces $8.7 Million for Statewide Power Grid Resiliency
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $8,790,108 in federal funding for the Maryland Energy Administration to modernize the state’s power grid and invest in clean energy. The funding, authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was made available through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal … Continue Reading
September 06, 2023
Amid U.S.-ASEAN Summit, Van Hollen, Romney Introduce Legislation to Create U.S.-ASEAN Center, Boost U.S. Ties with Southeast Asia
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, and Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, introduced legislation to bolster the United States’ economic and cultural engagement with Southeast Asian countries amid the U.S.-Association of Southeast Asian Nations … Continue Reading
September 05, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces $400,000 for Anne Arundel County Youth Fresh START Diversion Program
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $400,000 in congressionally directed funding that they fought to secure for Anne Arundel County’s Fresh Safe, Trauma-Informed, Accountable, Restorative, Transparent (START) Program. This funding, which comes through the United States Department of Justice’s Byrne Discretionary Grants Program, will be used to bolster Anne Arundel Police Department’s Fresh START Program, a … Continue Reading
August 31, 2023
On International Overdose Awareness Day, Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Announce $375,000 for Three Maryland Drug-Free Coalitions
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $375,000 in federal funding for three Maryland drug-free community coalitions to prevent and treat substance use disorder among young people. The federal funding comes on International Overdose Awareness Day, a global effort to end overdoses and a day to remember without stigma those who have passed and acknowledge the grief of loved ones left behind. “Young Americans today face an … Continue Reading
August 30, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Press Postmaster General DeJoy for Update on Planned Fort Howard Post Office Closure
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) wrote to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy regarding the agency’s plan to close the Fort Howard Post Office on September 15, 2023. In the letter, the lawmakers conveyed their concerns over USPS’s poor communication about the forthcoming service change and the challenges their constituents will face in retrieving their mail following the closure, given the lack of home … Continue Reading
August 25, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $50,000 for Improvements at Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $52,538 in federal funding to help the Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport complete infrastructure improvements at the airport to meet operational needs and safety standards by rehabilitating the airport’s runway. Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “The Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport supports our … Continue Reading
August 25, 2023
Van Hollen – Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee & Appropriations Subcommittee on State & Foreign Operations – to Visit Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, will make an official visit to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Maldives over the next week. During his travel, the Senator will work to strengthen our bilateral relations with each of these nations. Over 8 days, the Senator will host more than 50 meetings with key government officials, civil society organizations, industry leaders, non-profits, local … Continue Reading
August 24, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Key Committee Passage of Over $34 Million for Maryland Infrastructure and Community Development Projects
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD), and Senator Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and its Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Issues, (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of $34,681,000 in key Senate Committee legislation for community-led projects throughout Maryland. These funds, included at the … Continue Reading
August 22, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce More Than $200,000 for Improvements at St. Mary's County Regional Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced $241,949 in federal funding to help the St. Mary's County/Captain Walter Francis Duke Regional Airport complete infrastructure improvements at the airport to meet operational needs and safety standards by extending its runway. Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “The St. Mary's … Continue Reading
August 22, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Members of Congress to File Brief Opposing Legal Challenge to Gun Possession Ban in Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) alongside their Congressional colleagues in filing an amicus brief in opposition to the constitutional challenge to the federal law prohibiting individuals under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. In a bicameral brief to the Supreme Court in United States v. Rahimi, the members call on the Supreme Court to set a clear standard allowing … Continue Reading
August 22, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Key Committee Passage of Over $25 Million for Maryland Health Care, Education, and Workforce Projects
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Senator Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of over $25 million in key Senate Committee legislation providing direct federal funding for community-led projects throughout Maryland. These community projects, funded at the Senators’ request, will support expanding access to health care, education, and good jobs in underserved communities. The … Continue Reading
August 21, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Deliver $187,500 in Community Project Funding to Renovate Allegany College of Maryland Community Theatre
Today, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced the delivery of $187,500 in Community Project Funding to renovate the Allegany College of Maryland’s community theatre. The project’s federal funding was requested by the lawmakers in 2021, approvedthrough the Fiscal Year 2022 federal funding package, and now distributed to the Allegany College of Maryland. “These federal dollars will support much-needed renovations to a community landmark that … Continue Reading
